Levingston And Asmar Deliver First Drill Rig Of A New Class

Levingston Shipbuilding Company of Orange, Texas, a subsidiary of Ashland Oil, Inc., and Astilleros y Maestranzas de la Asmar of Chile recently delivered the first Class 011-C jackup drilling rig. The customer, Diamond M Drilling Company, is a Houston- based international offshore drilling contractor with 30 drilling units, the majority of which are operating in U.S. coastal waters.

Official christening of the shallowwater jackup took place at the Asmar Shipyard in Talcahuano, Chile.

Asmar was selected as the subcontractor for the lower hull and final outfitting, while the legs and footings were built in Orange.

Levingston also provided support in engineering, purchasing, and supervision. Asmar operates three shipyards in Chile — at Punta Arenas, Valparaiso, and the largest one in Talcahuano.

The Levingston-designed, selfelevating three-legged jackup is able to drill to a depth of 25,000 feet in 150 feet of water. A notable characteristic of this rig is its ability to withstand the harsh weather conditions of the Strait of Magellan, where the rig will be searching for oil. The rig, named the Magallanes, measures 184 feet by 178 feet by 22 feet deep, and has comfortable accommodations for 50 people. She will join another Levingston jackup, the Diamond M Nugget, which is currently operating in the Strait These rigs will be working for Empresa National Del Petroleo, the Chilean National Oil Company.

Christening sponsor of the vessel was Mrs. Lucia Hiriart de Pinochet, the wife of the President of the Republic of Chile.

Mrs. Pinochet was presented a diamond pendant for performing the c h r i s t e n i n g honors by Ed Paden. president of Levingston Shipbuilding. Among other dignitaries and their wives from the United States were the president of A s h l a n d - W a r r e n , Inc., Bill Voss; and Joe Romano, program manager for Levingston. Representing Diamond M Company were Jim Hunt, president and chief executive officer; Ned Simes, president of the Drilling Division; Herb Whalen, vice president of foreign operations; and Ken Bissett, vice p r e s i d e n t of special projects.

In attendance from Chile were the President, Mr. Pinochet, and a number of other government officials.

Asmar was represented by all of its senior management, including Adm. Oscar Paredes, president.

Other stories from May 15, 1980 issue

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